When electricity moves through a conductor, part of the energy is converted into heat due to resistance.
This loss occurs in nearly every device, from household electronics to large-scale data centres.
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By GlobalDataAccording to the International Energy Agency, data centres could account for up to 8% of global electricity consumption by 2030. A significant portion of this energy is wasted as heat. Reducing this loss is essential for both performance and environmental reasons.
Traditional approaches to energy efficiency have focused on improving materials and cooling systems. However, as electronic components continue to shrink and operate at higher speeds, the amount of heat generated per unit area increases. The result is that conventional methods are reaching their physical and economic limits.
Recent developments in edge-state physics may provide a more fundamental solution. This area of research studies how electrons move in special materials where the properties at the surface or edges differ from those in the middle.
Resistance, heat and energy loss
Electrical resistance arises when electrons scatter as they move through a material. This scattering occurs because of imperfections, atomic vibrations, or interactions with other electrons. Each scatter converts some electrical energy into heat.
The principle is well understood and described by Ohm’s law. In standard materials, resistance cannot be completely eliminated. Engineers can only minimise it by improving purity, structure, and temperature control.
However, edge-state physics suggests that there are materials in which certain conductive paths exist that do not experience this type of scattering.
Edge states and topological materials
Edge-state physics is closely linked to the study of topological materials. These are materials whose electronic behaviour is defined not only by their chemical composition but also by the geometric structure of their quantum states.
In a topological insulator, the interior of the material does not conduct electricity, while the surface or edges can conduct with very low resistance. Electrons move in specific quantum states that are protected by the topology of the material. Because of this protection, they are less affected by defects or irregularities.
This property was first observed in the quantum Hall effect and later in topological insulators and superconductors. These discoveries provided evidence that electrical conduction could occur with minimal or no energy loss under the right conditions.
Current progress and applications
For many years, these effects were only observed at extremely low temperatures, near absolute zero. Maintaining those conditions is not practical for most applications.
Recent research has identified new materials that show similar behaviour at or near room temperature. Examples include certain compounds containing bismuth and layered materials known as “transition metal dichalcogenides”.
Some materials can also support “quantum spin Hall effects”, where the electron’s spin determines its direction of motion, eliminating the need for an external magnetic field.
If such materials can be produced and controlled at scale, the implications for electronics would be significant. Circuits and processors could operate with much lower power consumption and heat generation. Data centres could run more efficiently, and less energy would be wasted in the form of heat. The technology could also improve power transmission systems by reducing resistive losses in long-distance cables.
The environmental benefits are also clear. As global electricity demand increases, even small efficiency improvements can result in significant reductions in overall energy use and emissions.
Technical and industrial challenges
There are still substantial technical barriers before edge-state physics can be applied to industry. Producing topological materials with consistent quality is complex. Many require precise crystal growth methods and operate only under controlled laboratory conditions.
Integrating these materials with conventional silicon-based technology is another obstacle. The behaviour of topological materials is governed by quantum mechanics, which does not always align with classical circuit design principles.
Furthermore, edge states must remain stable under normal operating conditions. External factors such as temperature, magnetic fields, and impurities can interfere with their performance. Developing reliable fabrication and control methods will be essential before these materials can be used commercially.
Despite these challenges, research in this area is advancing quickly. Laboratories have demonstrated nanoscale devices that use edge-state conduction, and new materials are being identified every year. Large technology companies and government research programs are beginning to explore possible applications, from low-power chips to quantum communication components.
Looking forward
Edge-state physics represents a potential shift in how electronic systems are designed. Instead of improving traditional conductors or cooling techniques, it focuses on materials that naturally minimise or eliminate energy loss.
If these materials can be manufactured reliably and integrated into existing technology, they could help reduce energy consumption across multiple industries. The research is still at an early stage, but progress over the past decade suggests that practical applications may emerge within the next generation of devices.
Reducing energy loss at the physical level remains one of the most effective ways to improve efficiency. Edge-state physics offers a possible path toward that goal through a deeper understanding of how electrons behave at the quantum scale.
